Bydand is the current clanmotto and means abiding orremaining. Possible origin isthe term Byde and Fechtmeaning to stand and fight.The Fecht was droppedbecause it was understoodthat if one was going tostand one would fight!

The Standard of the Gordon Clan (above) consists of a pennant shaped flag. On the hoist is the St. Andrew's Cross. The fly is divided horizontally in azure and or (blue and gold). Upon the fly immediately following the hoist is the Crest of the Marquis of Huntly and then two oblique red sashes emblazoned or the Clan War Cry 'An Gordonach' and finally the Clan Motto 'Bydand'. Interspersed are five leaves of rock ivy Proper 1, 2 and 2 respectively. The Standard was used as a rallying point for the Clan in battle and contained the Clan Insignia which were readily recognizable to the clansmen. All Scottish Standards contain the St. Andrew's Cross on the hoist.

CREST: Issuant from a ducal coronet or a stag's head and neck affronteeproperattired with ten tynes of the first, all encircled within a chaplet of rockivy proper.(Note the crest on the Clan Standard below shows issuent from acrest coronet andensigned with the coronet of a marquis) MOTTO: Bydand(see below left forillustration)

On a compartment (mound upon which the supporters stand) embellishedwith rock ivy, two deerhounds argent (silver) collared gules, charged threebuckels (red collar with three buckles) are the usual supporters for theHuntly arms, as seen in thecarvings at Huntly Castle. (See left above for arepresentation of the arms depicting the supporters.)

Since these are the personal arms of the chief, they are NOT for use by theClansmen and women. Scottish heraldry permits the use of the ClanChief's crest belted to differentiate it as a clansman's insignia and all whoare eligible to become members of the House of Gordon are allowed theuse of the Clansman's Badge. The Gordon Clansman Badge (also knownas a cap badge) is pictured at the top of each page in this site. There is nodescription for the color of the belt and therefore it may be depicted proper,or, argent, or in any of the prominent colors of the clan. In the case of theGordons it is often green or blue. Below are alternate depictions of theClansman's Badge. Traditionally a piece of the plant badge (Rock Ivy forthe Gordons) would be worn on the hat to identify a clansman. Those menwith more wealth would wear a cap badge mounted over a piece of tartanto identify their clan affiliation.